Synonyms for Frightful
Definition of frightful
adjective
- provoking horror; "an atrocious automobile accident"; "a frightful crime of decapitation"; "an alarming, even horrifying, picture"; "war is beyond all words horrible"- Winston Churchill; "an ugly wound"
- extreme in degree or extent or amount or impact; "in a frightful hurry"; "spent a frightful amount of money"
- extremely distressing; "fearful slum conditions"; "a frightful mistake"
9 synonyms found
Writing tips for "frightful"
Choosing the right synonym depends on context, tone, and audience. Words like alarming, atrocious, bad can replace "frightful" depending on the shade of meaning you need. In poetry and songwriting, swapping synonyms lets you match a rhyme scheme or meter without changing your meaning. In prose, varying your word choice avoids repetition and keeps readers engaged.
With 9 alternatives available, "frightful" gives you flexibility across registers — from formal to casual, from literary to conversational. Try pairing these synonyms with our rhyme finder to discover words that both mean and sound like what you need.
"Frightful" in song lyrics
See how frightful is used in real songs:
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"But my high school was frightful"
Jesse Abraham — Play On